by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Updated on 2/8/16 at 10:35 pm
It was a banner day for TCC sports! The fans came out in droves and packed the Taylor's First Baptist gym as The Fightin' Reformers completed the improbable #StriveForFive to finish the year with a 5-5 record! Tyler and Jennifer Moody, taking in their first Reformer game, remarked on how well TCC looked during warm ups. "They look unstoppable" Tyler said as Jennifer nodded in approval. Super fans Stephen and Christina Rutland, season ticket holders, quickly corrected the Moody's assumptions by saying "they always look this good during warmups, its the games that they struggle with!"
During pregame warm ups, the team ran through a special banner that was made by the TCC children. Amber Mathis was insistent the team run through it, even making them do it again during halftime. This drew quite a spectacle as you can imagine as even the league director and players on the opposing team pulled out their phones to capture the magical moment. Amber was tasked with the duty of broadcasting the game live to all of TCC's faithful fans who couldn't make it. This cause an abnormal amount of hits from Russia! "Thanks again to our Russian fans, they are some of or most loyal blog readers" said GM Randy Pifer.
The Fightin' Reformers fame has spread beyond just the walls of the church. There were other fans in attendance as well. Caleb and Cheryl Bixby, AJ and Rebecca Gillespie, and Stephen Donovan all made their first games! Caleb and Cheryl brought noise makers, posters, and stickers for everyone in the crowd! AJ and Rebecca brought t-shirts depicting their favorite player, Pifer, and distributed them to other fans. It was defiantly a family affair as there were numerous player wives and children in attendance as well.
Tim Smerdon played his final game in a TCC jersey tonight. After the game, Tim snuck out the back door to avoid any reporters questions doing the classy move and giving the spotlight to his teammates. Tim's veteran leadership will be missed both on and off the court.
TCC, fueled by the Rutlands pregame remarks, jumped all over Berea First in the first half behind Hugh Carson's magical 11 point first half which was punctuated by a half court three pointer at the buzzer. Donny Mathis played aggressively as well and had a strong 6 points in the first period. TCC led 17-9 at the break. Karla Simpson was quick to point out that they played well, but still were missing on opportunities. "Randy sure did miss a lot of layups that first half, didn't he?" she asked the crowd. A collective groan could be heard in response.
The second half didn't go as well, as TCC gave up their 8 point lead almost as quickly as they got it. With the scored tied at 19, Pifer hit a three from the corner and TCC never trailed again. Jonathan Chasteen played well in the second half to close out his strong second half of the season. Daniel Brown hit a key free throw down the stretch and numerous big defensive plays to put the icing on the cake and TCC won by a final score of 32-24.
Ashley Williams remarked on the cohesiveness of the team, "they look they they have played together approximately ten times". Tom Kline answered her statement by saying "it's like they have played together EXACTLY ten times!" Before the game Hollie Carson told her Husband Hugh, "you have to win this game!" Hugh replied "we will win, or we will die on that court!" Joe and Perrin Hall were inspired by this rhetoric and took it upon themselves to make sure the crowd stayed as engaged as possible. Aaron and Casey Markam led a second half wave cheer. Aaron and Joe are sitting in the wings waiting to turn 30 years old so they can join the prestigious 30 and over TCC Fightin' Reformers. Toby Dix laughed at that thought saying no one on the current team will still be able to play by the time Markham and Hall are old enough to join.
TCC's season is now over. They finished the season with a 5-5 record on the season and become the first team in TCC history to finish .500 or better!
Congratulations on a great year from all of us here at the TCCNN!
Special thanks to Zach Halleck for help with the Game Day Program, and Caleb Bixby for his help with the #StriveForFive stickers!
Monday, February 8, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
TCC Continues Hot Streak; One Win Away From #StriveForFive Goal
by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Updated on 2/1/16 at 10:31 PM
The Fightin' Reformers tried everything in their power to lose a second heartbreaking loss to Earle Street Baptist but were able to make just enough plays down the stretch and dodge a bullet at the buzzer to escape with a 33-31 victory. "This was a complete team effort" said leading scorer Hugh Carson. Carson was being doubled teamed all night as Earle Street was insistent on not letting TCC's "Bearded Wonder" beat them. He was harassed on every shot, but still managed to lead the team with 10 points. Defensive dynamo Daniel Brown once again made a huge defensive play when he stripped the ball and went coast to coast for an easy two with TCC clinging to a one point lead. Brown finished with 7 points. Donny Mathis chipped in 7 points as well and was instrumental in the ball movement that helped TCC take control of the game in the second half.
The unsung hero of the game was Jonathan Chasteen who hit a massive three pointer late in the second half and led the team in rebounding with 10. "He was an integral part of what we were trying to do tonight" said Malcolm Burgess. Randy Pifer scored 4 points, but no points were bigger than the two free throws he hit with under a minute to play to give TCC a three point lead. Pifer also recorded 3 blocked shots, a TCC record. He did, however, almost throw the game away on the last play of the game. With 5 seconds left, TCC was inbounding under Earle Streets basket. Pifer threw it long to Brown who was running down the middle of the court. The pass was intercepted by Earle Street and they were able to get off a desperation heave that bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
"We play really well in the middle of halves, but its the first few minutes and last few minutes of each half that we seem to struggle" said Sam Ali. TCC was without F/C Tim Smerdon who had to take his wife Tina out for her birthday! The TCCNN wants to wish Tina a happy birthday! "This victory was our present to her" said GM Pifer after the game.
TCC has shown marked improvement since the first few games of the season and are currently on a two game winning streak which is the longest in franchise history. If The Reformers can pull out a victory next week they will accomplish something no team in TCC or CGBC history has been able to accomplish by finishing .500 or better. A grassroots social media campaign has sprung up entitled #StriveForFive. This signifies the teams goal to win their final game to give them a 5-5 record on the season.
Next Monday night, February 8, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Taylor's First Baptist Church is TCC Presents: Fan Appreciation Night. The entire team encourages all the fans of TCC to make the trip out to Taylors for the game. There will be a collectable program, and Amber Mathis, wife of Donny has promised to lead some organized cheers. Fans are encouraged to bring posters, noise makers, #StriveForFive paraphernalia and fill the stands in support of The Reformers. Any fan who attends will get a shout out on this blog! Make your plans now to join in on the fun!
Updated on 2/1/16 at 10:31 PM
The Fightin' Reformers tried everything in their power to lose a second heartbreaking loss to Earle Street Baptist but were able to make just enough plays down the stretch and dodge a bullet at the buzzer to escape with a 33-31 victory. "This was a complete team effort" said leading scorer Hugh Carson. Carson was being doubled teamed all night as Earle Street was insistent on not letting TCC's "Bearded Wonder" beat them. He was harassed on every shot, but still managed to lead the team with 10 points. Defensive dynamo Daniel Brown once again made a huge defensive play when he stripped the ball and went coast to coast for an easy two with TCC clinging to a one point lead. Brown finished with 7 points. Donny Mathis chipped in 7 points as well and was instrumental in the ball movement that helped TCC take control of the game in the second half.
The unsung hero of the game was Jonathan Chasteen who hit a massive three pointer late in the second half and led the team in rebounding with 10. "He was an integral part of what we were trying to do tonight" said Malcolm Burgess. Randy Pifer scored 4 points, but no points were bigger than the two free throws he hit with under a minute to play to give TCC a three point lead. Pifer also recorded 3 blocked shots, a TCC record. He did, however, almost throw the game away on the last play of the game. With 5 seconds left, TCC was inbounding under Earle Streets basket. Pifer threw it long to Brown who was running down the middle of the court. The pass was intercepted by Earle Street and they were able to get off a desperation heave that bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
"We play really well in the middle of halves, but its the first few minutes and last few minutes of each half that we seem to struggle" said Sam Ali. TCC was without F/C Tim Smerdon who had to take his wife Tina out for her birthday! The TCCNN wants to wish Tina a happy birthday! "This victory was our present to her" said GM Pifer after the game.
TCC has shown marked improvement since the first few games of the season and are currently on a two game winning streak which is the longest in franchise history. If The Reformers can pull out a victory next week they will accomplish something no team in TCC or CGBC history has been able to accomplish by finishing .500 or better. A grassroots social media campaign has sprung up entitled #StriveForFive. This signifies the teams goal to win their final game to give them a 5-5 record on the season.
Next Monday night, February 8, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Taylor's First Baptist Church is TCC Presents: Fan Appreciation Night. The entire team encourages all the fans of TCC to make the trip out to Taylors for the game. There will be a collectable program, and Amber Mathis, wife of Donny has promised to lead some organized cheers. Fans are encouraged to bring posters, noise makers, #StriveForFive paraphernalia and fill the stands in support of The Reformers. Any fan who attends will get a shout out on this blog! Make your plans now to join in on the fun!
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